2019 BMW 3-Series Drops 121 Pounds, Will Have The Most Powerful Four-Cylinder Ever


BMW has released the first details about the 2019 3-Series.

Expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show, the redesigned sedan promises to be sportier than ever as the automaker says the car’s center of gravity has been lowered by 10mm (0.4 inches). The car also weighs up 55 kg (121 lbs) less than its predecessor.


The upgrades don’t stop there as engineers “significantly enhanced” rigidity levels and kept the car’s weight distribution at a perfect 50:50. BMW went on to say agility and steering precision has been improved thanks to a wider track and new axles.


The 3-Series is renowned for its handling and engineers paid special attention to the car’s suspension.  As part of this effort, they developed an innovative damping system which uses lift-related dampers.  BMW says they operate “continuously and progressively in relation to the respective spring travel” and this allows road imperfections to be neutralized “gently and precisely.”


While the standard suspension aims to strike a balance between sporty and comfortable, the M Sport Suspension definitely favors the former.  Cars equipped with the sport suspension will have a 10mm (0.4 inch) reduced ride height and 18-inch lightweight wheels with mixed tires.


According to BMW’s Head of Driving Dynamics, Peter Langen, the damping forces on the M Sport Suspension are approximately 20 higher than those on the standard suspension and this means the difference is “much more perceptible than before.”  He went on to say the M suspension is now “much sportier, with more rigid bearings and stabilizers, harder springs and additional body struts.”


Cars outfitted with the M Sport Suspension will only be available with the Variable Sports Steering system.  BMW says the latter has been “specially reconfigured” for the redesigned sedan and will provide “much greater precision to slight steering movements, without seeming nervous in central position.”


Other performance features include an M sports differential with an electronically controlled locking function that is linked to the Dynamic Stability Control system.  BMW says this allows the differential to preemptively influence both understeering and oversteering without brake intervention.


BMW was tight-lipped about performance specifications, but confirmed the 3-Series will be offered with a “thoroughly revised” four-cylinder petrol engine.  The engine will be the most powerful four-cylinder ever fitted in a production BMW and it will be approximately five percent more fuel-efficient than its predecessor.  Part of this increased efficiency is due to the car’s improved eight-speed automatic transmission.


Speaking of eco-friendliness, the engine will come equipped with a particulate filter.  BMW says this, along with other changes, will allow the engine to meet Euro 6d-TEMP standards.

Carscoops

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Edition Ford GT 'Competition Series' Is All About The Track

Image
Ford's new GT Competition Series was built with weight-saving in mind, but also with an improved center of gravity for better road-holding. Among its features, you'll notice the lightweight carbon fiber racing stripes, A-Pillars and side mirrors, as well as the unique race-inspired Perspex acrylic engine hatch with integrated venting. Thanks to the manual latch and the carbon fiber prop rod, weight near the roof has been reduced, though Ford engineers went even further in their quest to make the car lighter, by making the bulkhead Gorilla Glass behind the driver about half as thick (and as light) as on other models. "The Ford GT has racing in its blood," said Ford exec Raj Nair, while adding that the Competition Series "was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match." There are also plenty of remaining performance features from the production car, such as
Read more

Alpine A110 Hits Geneva With Pure, Legende And GT4 Versions

Image
Renault’s reborn Alpine brand has been getting rave reviews for its new A110 and now, as promised, it’s revealed new versions of its coupe at the Geneva Motor Show. Following the success of the sold-out Premiere Edition, the A110 will now be offered in Pure and Legende trims. The A110 Pure is targeted at driving enthusiasts. It features one-piece Sabelt sports seats that weigh barely more than 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) each and, combined with other weight-saving measures, helps keep the curb weight below 1,100 kg ( 2,425 lbs). It’s not entirely stripped out, though, and still comes with features like air-conditioning and satellite navigation. Buyers can also add upgraded Brembo brakes and an adaptive exhaust system and can upgrade to the adjustable comfort seats. Those come standard on the Legende model, which is geared more towards every day driving and grand touring and comes with leather upholstery. Customers can also choose between two Focal sound systems and two wheel
Read more

Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet Is A Crossover For Droptop Lovers

Image
Droptop crossovers have always been rather odd and the T-Roc Cabriolet is no different. It will be the only convertible Volkswagen on sale for the foreseeable future and will celebrate its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Rather than simply removing the roof of the standard T-Roc, Volkswagen has drastically altered the vehicle’s structure and body. In fact, its wheelbase is 37 mm longer than the standard T-Roc while its overall length is up by 34 mm. In addition, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet features structural strengthening in the underbody, side panels, cross members, doors, and windscreen frame to make up for the lack of a roof. The folding fabric roof developed by Volkswagen retracts in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h) and is similar in operation to the roof of the outgoing Golf Cabriolet. The presence of the soft top reduces trunk space by 161 liters down from the 284 liters of the run-of-the-mill T-Roc. We don’t think bu
Read more